| Fourth Test, Johannesburg (day one of five): |
|---|
| England 192-4: Crawley 66, Sibley 44 |
| Scorecard |
England posted their first century opening stand in more than three years only to lose four wickets for 50 runs on a fluctuating first day of the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Zak Crawley’s maiden half-century, allied to 44 from Dom Sibley, took England to 107-0 just after tea after the start was delayed by more than three hours by rain at The Wanderers.
In the face of some improved South Africa bowling, England wasted their platform as the top order found ways of getting themselves out.
Sibley gave Beuran Hendricks his first Test wicket, Crawley fell for 66, a skittish Joe Denly was dismissed for 27 and Ben Stokes, who made only two, appeared to exchange angry words with someone off the field as he departed.
It was left to captain Joe Root and Ollie Pope to steady the tourists, taking them to 192-4 when bad light ended play.
Despite the collapse, England still have the opportunity to build a sizable first-innings total, which would then give them the opportunity to pressure South Africa on a pitch which seems set to crack.
Conversely, the Proteas’ recovery from a sloppy first session means they can still bowl out the tourists for a relatively cheap score.
England lead the series the 2-1 and will secure only a second overseas series win in four years if they avoid defeat.
Action all the way in day of two halves
Even though rain wiped out the entire first session, the amount of action before the toss took place gave a preview of the lively cricket that would follow.
With the pitch appearing, and later proving, to offer pace and bounce, both sides omitted their specialist spinners in favour of five fast bowlers each.
For England, that meant checks on the fitness of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. The latter is not yet fully recovered from an elbow injury, meaning a return for Chris Woakes.
Given the surface, the damp and the cloud, choosing to bat first carried an element of risk for Root, who banked on his batsmen coming through the early challenge, allowing his attack to take advantage of any deterioration later in the match.
That they did so was down to a combination of the endeavour shown by Crawley and Sibley, allied to the lacklustre performance by the South Africans.
With England seemingly in a prime position, the Proteas finally provided a sustained threat with the ball, and the quadruple strike left the match nicely poised.
More to follow.
